BlackBerry: Secret Codes and Tricks for All Vintage Models — Complete Guide 2026
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This is the definitive guide to BlackBerry secret codes for all vintage models. The BlackBerry system is completely different from all other brands — instead of numeric codes, letter combinations are typed directly from the home screen while holding the ALT key.
How the BlackBerry Code System Works — Read First
- From the home screen — hold ALT: type letters while holding ALT. Text does not appear on screen but the command executes.
- In Options → Advanced → SIM Card: type MEPD/MEP2/MEP4 directly. Text does not appear — this is normal.
- General shortcuts without ALT: letters open apps directly.
ALT Codes — Home Screen
Hold ALT and type:
| ALT Combination | Function |
|---|---|
ALT + NMLL |
Signal strength in dBm instead of bars — the most useful code |
ALT + LGLG |
Open Log Viewer — system event log |
ALT + ESCR |
Engineering/help screen |
ALT + DPAP |
Alternative engineering screen |
ALT + EACE |
Alternative engineering screen |
ALT + DCLR |
Clear cache hash table (invisible — speeds up phone) |
ALT + JKVV |
Show network reject cause |
ALT + QSMD |
Set send report mode |
ALT + Right Shift + Del |
Hard reset — forced restart without removing battery |
Keyboard Shortcuts (without ALT)
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
S |
Search |
W/B |
Browser |
K |
Key lock |
V |
Messages |
P |
Phone |
In the browser: T = top of page | B = bottom | Space = page down | U = toggle title bar
Most Important Code: ALT + NMLL — Signal in dBm
From the home screen, hold ALT and type NMLL. The signal indicator switches from bars to numeric dBm value (e.g. -73 dBm).
dBm interpretation:
- -50 to -70 dBm → excellent signal
- -71 to -85 dBm → good signal
- -86 to -100 dBm → moderate signal, possible drops
- -101 to -110 dBm → weak signal
- Beyond -110 dBm → critical, unreliable calls
To return to bars: ALT + NMLL again (toggle).
Log Viewer: ALT + LGLG — Advanced Diagnostics
Opens the system event log: app crashes, network connections/disconnections, BIS/BES activity, push email problems, Bluetooth/WiFi errors. Useful for diagnosing why an app crashes or emails aren't arriving.
MEPD and MEP2 — Complete Operator Unlock
MEP Lock Types:
| Type | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MEP1 | SIM Code | Specific SIM lock |
| MEP2 | NCK (Network Code) | Operator network lock — most common |
| MEP3 | Subset Code | Network subset lock |
| MEP4 | Service Provider Code | SP lock — Telus, Koodo, Bell (Canada), Virgin/Tesco UK |
| MEP5 | Corporate Code | Corporate lock |
Which MEP to use? 90% of locked BlackBerrys use MEP2 (Network lock). Use MEP4 for Canadian (Telus, Koodo, Bell) and UK (Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile) carriers.
Unlock Procedure for 8520, Bold 9000, 9700, 9780:
- Insert a SIM from a different carrier than the one that locked the phone
- Power on the phone
- Go to Settings → Options → Advanced Options → SIM Card
- Type
MEPDon the keyboard (letters do not appear on screen — this is normal) - The personalisation menu appears showing active locks
- Type
MEP, holdALTand press2(→ MEP2 for network lock) - A code entry prompt appears
- Enter the 8 or 16 digit unlock code
- "Code Accepted" appears if correct
WARNING: Only 10 attempts. After 10 incorrect attempts the lock becomes permanent — cannot be removed even with the correct code. Never attempt without the correct code.
Procedure for Torch 9800, Bold 9780, Curve 9300:
Options → Device Settings → Advanced System Settings → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
Procedure for Storm 9550/9530, Tour 9630, Bold 9650:
First: Options → Mobile Network → Network Technology → GSM/UMTS. Then SIM Card → MEPD → MEP2
BlackBerry Curve 8520 — Secret Codes and Tricks
The BlackBerry 8520 (2009, codename "Gemini") was the best-selling BlackBerry in history. Its optical trackpad and full QWERTY keyboard made it the reference device for messaging.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL | Log: ALT + LGLG | Engineering: ALT + ESCR
Hard reset: ALT + Right Shift + Del
Unlock: MEPD + MEP2 procedure (see above)
Clear cache (speeds up phone): ALT + DCLR from home screen — clears the cache hash table instantly. Useful when phone slows without rebooting.
Optical trackpad cleaning: The 8520 trackpad accumulates dirt and stops scrolling smoothly. Fix: use a slightly damp cotton swab in circular motion on the trackpad. For a software issue: ALT + DCLR + restart.
Device PIN: Options → Status → 8-character BlackBerry PIN (needed for BBM and BIS registration)
Rename Bluetooth: Options → Bluetooth → Device Options → change name
Check OS version: Options → Device Information → shows OS version, application version and device PIN.
👉 View BlackBerry 8520 available at Infosate
BlackBerry Bold 9000 — Secret Codes and Tricks
The BlackBerry Bold 9000 (2008) — the first Bold, the most appreciated business smartphone ever made.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL | Log: ALT + LGLG | Engineering: ALT + ESCR
Hard reset: ALT + Right Shift + Del
Unlock: Options → Advanced Options → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
Speed up browser: Browser → Menu → Options → Browser Support → enable JavaScript only when needed. Disabling it significantly increases WAP page loading speed.
Extend battery: Connection Manager → disable WiFi when not at home/office → 1 day → 2-3 days.
Call quality: Options → Mobile Network → Voice Connection Type → set to "High Quality Voice" if available (EFR).
👉 View BlackBerry Bold 9000 available at Infosate
BlackBerry Bold 9700 and 9780 — Secret Codes
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 (2009, codename "Onyx") — compact successor to the 9000 with optical trackpad. 9780 adds 5MP camera and native OS 6 support.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL | Log: ALT + LGLG
Unlock 9700: Settings → Options → Advanced Options → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
Unlock 9780 (OS 6): Options → Device Settings → Advanced System Settings → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
OS update check: Options → Device Information — 9700 supports OS up to 6.0. If on OS 5, can be upgraded via BlackBerry Desktop Software.
UMA (WiFi Calling): the 9700 supports UMA — phone calls over WiFi when there's no GSM signal. Connection Manager → WiFi Options → enable UMA (carrier-dependent, mainly T-Mobile Europe).
👉 View BlackBerry Bold 9700 available at Infosate
BlackBerry Bold 9900 — Secret Codes
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 (2011) — the pinnacle of the BlackBerry era, first with touchscreen + physical keyboard.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL | Hard reset: ALT + Right Shift + Del
Unlock: Options → Device → Advanced System Settings → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
Note: First BlackBerry with NFC — check it's enabled in Connection Manager → NFC.
BlackBerry Torch 9800 — Secret Codes
The Torch 9800 (2010) — combined touchscreen and slide keyboard, first BlackBerry with OS 6 out of the box.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL | Hard reset: ALT + Right Shift + Del
Unlock: Options → Device Settings → Advanced System Settings → SIM Card → MEPD → MEP + ALT + 2
BlackBerry Pearl 8100 — Secret Codes (Special Case!)
The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 (2006) — first consumer BlackBerry with camera and SureType keyboard.
IMEI: *#06# | dBm: ALT + NMLL
Special unlock procedure for Pearl 8100:
- Turn off wireless first (Connection Manager → Turn All Connections Off)
- Options → Advanced Options → SIM Card
- Type
MEPPD(double P — not MEPD!) - Type
MEPP+ALT+2(double P + ALT + 2) - Enter unlock code
Warning Pearl 8100: uses
MEPPDandMEPP2instead ofMEPDandMEP2— this is the critical difference that very few websites document correctly.
BlackBerry 8700 — Secret Codes
Unlock 8700: Settings → Options → Advanced Options → SIM Card → MEPD → MEPE + ALT (note: MEPE not MEP2 on this model)
BlackBerry 6xxx and 7xxx (6230, 7100, 7290) — Secret Codes
Earliest BlackBerry models with SIM card.
Unlock: Options → SIM Card → MEPD (except 7100 which uses MEPPD) → "NET active" appears if locked
Complete ALT Code Table — All BlackBerry Models
| ALT + | Function | Context |
|---|---|---|
NMLL |
dBm signal ↔ bars | Home screen |
LGLG |
Log Viewer | Home screen |
ESCR |
Engineering screen | Home screen |
DPAP |
Alternative engineering | Home screen |
EACE |
Alternative engineering | Home screen |
DCLR |
Clear cache (invisible) | Home screen |
JKVV |
Network reject cause | Home screen |
QSMD |
Set send report mode | Home screen |
Right Shift + Del |
Hard reset | Anywhere |
Universal GSM Codes — All BlackBerry GSM
PIN/PUK: **04*[old]*[new]*[new]# | PUK: **05*[PUK]*[new]*[new]#
Call forwarding: ##002# cancel all | *#21# check | **21*[number]# activate
Call barring (default 0000): *33*(password)# outgoing | *353*(password)# incoming
Call waiting: *43# / #43# / *#43#
Frequently Asked Questions
Text doesn't appear when I type MEPD — is this normal? Yes, completely normal. MEP codes are invisible by design. After MEPD the SIM personalisation menu appears if the code was recognised.
How many attempts do I have for the MEP code? 10 attempts on almost all models. After the 10th incorrect attempt the lock becomes permanent. Never attempt without the correct code.
What's the difference between MEP2 and MEP4? MEP2 unlocks the network lock (most common). MEP4 unlocks the service provider lock — needed for phones sold by Canadian carriers (Telus, Koodo, Bell) and UK (Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile). Some phones need both MEP2 and MEP4.
How do I get the MEP code for my BlackBerry? The MEP code is calculated from the phone's IMEI using the RIM/BlackBerry algorithm. No universal code exists. Available from online services by providing the IMEI.
Does ALT + NMLL show dBm on all BlackBerry models? Yes, works on all BlackBerry OS models (not BB10). It's a toggle — type it again to return to bar display.
Why does the Pearl 8100 use MEPPD instead of MEPD? The Pearl 8100 uses a slightly different version of the SIM personalisation firmware. MEPPD (with double P) is the correct command for this specific model. Using MEPD will not work.
Original Vintage BlackBerry at Infosate
At Infosate you'll find a selection of original vintage BlackBerry phones — 8520 Curve, Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Bold 9900 and more iconic models, all verified and tested before shipping.